CD 737.5 Unmarked “Pilgrim Hat”, Ice green, Height 3”, The diameter of the dome is much smaller than the diameter of the wire groove. Typically, most pilgrim hat insulators are constructed with a wire groove and dome of the same diameter. A rarely encountered hat, with only a handful confirmed to exist. Most are reported to have surfaced in the Maritime region of eastern Canada, and were likely used on one or more early telegraph lines constructed by American telegraph companies in the 1850s. Estimated: $5,000 – $7,000

CD 737, Unmarked,“Pilgrim Hat.”, Dark olive amber. The overall contours of this large, impressive pilgrim hat threadless differ from the similar CD 738 in several aspects. The sides of the insulator between the skirt and dome traverse in a perfectly straight line, rather than being curved above the skirt and in the wire groove, as seen on CD 738. The cavity between the base and pinhole is also larger and more open on the CD 737. Note the very flat top and sharp corner on the dome. Only seven or eight of this impressive mold variant have been observed in the past four decades, indicating they are much rarer than the unmarked CD 738. Attributed to a Stoddard, New Hampshire glass house, as an example was found by a bottle collector who excavated Stoddard glass factory sites. Estimated: $1,800 – $2,200

CD 735, U.P.R.R., MULFORD & BIDDLE, Rich dark blue,The CD 735 threadless insulators with “U.P.R.R.” embossing were produced for use on the historic, first transcontinental railroad line in America. Although most examples found are aquamarine in coloration, various blue examples have also been found in central and eastern Wyoming. Examples of this rich blue shade were dug from a dump near the old U.P.R.R. grade west of Rawlins, Wyoming in the late 1960’s. Estimate: $ 1,200 – $ 1,500

CD 740.7, Unmarked, “High Dome Canadian Hat”, Green, Circa 1857-1859. A seldom encountered hat style threadless from Canada. The CD 740.7 has a base and skirt similar to the CD 740. From the wire groove upward, however, there are some dramatic differences. The wire ridge on these units is sharply pronounced, the dome is quite high and the top is flat. This design has been found in limited numbers. Some were used on the Port Hope, Lindsay & Beaverton Railway which opened in 1857. A section of the main line Grand Trunk Railway in Southwestern Ontario, and the Ottawa & Prescott Railway also used this type. Estimate: $ 2,500 – $ 3,000

CD 740.4, Unembossed, Bubble, carbon filled aqua. An amazing example of a scarce CD! The glass is loaded with thousands of bubbles and an abundance of carbon, creating a slag-like appearance. Nearly the entire insulator has “contamination,” as can be seen in the three photographs provided. This design has been found primarily in New York State, mostly on railroad right of ways. At least one of those railroads was completed in 1869 or 1870, indicating a possible rather late production date in the threadless era, at least for some examples. Estimate: $ 3,200 – $ 4,500

CD 740, Unembossed, Dark yellow, Phenomenal coloration that passes plenty of light through the entire insulator when displayed in a north window. Sold in the 1996 Richard Gay Collection Auction conducted by Pole Top Discoveries, and has been locked into a collection since. Great items such as this have a way of disappearing from the market for decades. Estimate: $ 3,000 – $ 4,000

CD 731, TILLOTSON, Rich blue, A wonderful example with great color saturation! Different than the lighter sapphire blue examples and more teal/midnight toned than cobalt blue. Certainly an attractive and desirable variant for the threadless collector! Estimate: $ 3,500 – $ 4,500

CD 317.5, CHAMBERS, PAT AUG 14 1877, PATENT DEC 19 1871, Rich green aqua, The CD 317.5 and CD 317 were both used in the same manner, supporting the horizontal cable on a lightning protection system. The CD 317.5 “Bell Chambers” is much scarcer than the CD 317. Only a limited number have been found. Estimate: $ 2,000 – $ 2,400

CD 130.1, CAL. ELEC. WORKS. PATENT, Bright cobalt blue. One of the all time “classic” insulators. The combination of highly unusual design, rarity and fabulous color make these beauties one of the most desirable insulators in the hobby. The majority of those in collections have been found along the Ridge Telephone line route, which was constructed shortly after the formation of the California Electrical Works in 1877. The line was built for controlling water used in hydraulic mining. This was one of the first long distance telephone lines in the world, extending from French Corral, North San Juan, and Graniteville to reservoirs high in the mountains to the east. Great condition! Of the eight individual sections forming the wire groove, four are perfect! Two have only the very corner edge grazed, and two have flaking on only a portion of the projection. Estimate: $ 6,500 – $ 7,500

CD 151, H.G. CO., PETTICOAT, Olive green with amber streaks, A great mix of yellow green, olive and amber creates an attractive beauty! Colorful 151’s such as this are rarely encountered. How many have been for sale in the past 10 years? Estimate: $ 4,000 – $ 6,000

CD 199, Embossed prism, Green and aqua two tone, These large, impressive transposition style insulators are quite attractive, especially in this rare color mix! The only example we have seen or heard of in this wonderful color. Estimate: $ 1,800 – $ 2,300

CD 162, H.G. CO. PATENT MAY 2 1893, Brilliant yellow, This is the highly sought, true yellow HG Co signal. Although the yellow Hemingray 19 is available for purchase occasionally, this is not so true with the more radiant HG Co, which rarely surfaces for sale. Estimate: $ 2,200 – $ 2,800

CD 266.5, PATENTED JUNE. 17. 1890, Green, An item which has been “in the hobby” for a number of years, but only recently was discovered to be lacking the typical pair of inner petticoats. Upon notifying Mr. N.R Woodward of the discovery, he immediately assigned the new CD 266.5. The “No 5 Boston Cable” was illustrated in the 1902 C.S. Knowles Catalogue. That drawing shows the insulator with only a single petticoat. Mr. Woodward mentioned another different supplier catalogue also showed this design without inner petticoats. Apparently some were produced with a single petticoat, and then perhaps later, the designing engineers thought to add two inner petticoats to increase the insulating properties. At that time, molds were made with the triple petticoat design, and the CD 266 were produced. The glass of this new CD example was produced in a color different than the CD 266, which is typically dark aqua. Estimate: $ 5,000 – $ 10,000

CD 145, H.G. CO., PETTICOAT, Purple, The narrow skirt variant. Excellent saturation of color! A great contrasting color to all the differing green HG beehives. Estimate: $ 900 – $ 1,200

CD 162, H.G. CO. PATENT MAY 2 1893, Red amber oxblood, Bright, red toned glass. The color is identical to the darker oxblood offered in Lot #565, just a lighter version. Transition embossing. These are highly sought items. Sold by Pole Top Discoveries several years ago, where strong collector interest escalated the bidding to double the low estimate shown here! Estimate: $ 1,400 – $ 1,800